The National Centre RUSSIA and the World Youth Festival Directorate to jointly develop international projects
On 7 July, the National Centre RUSSIA and the World Youth Festival Directorate signed a partnership agreement. The parties agreed to establish long-term cooperation in the field of youth policy and jointly implement international projects aimed at civic and patriotic education for young people, expanding international cooperation, and promoting an objective image of Russia abroad.
"The National Centre RUSSIA is pleased to become a partner of the World Youth Festival Directorate. We are united by shared values and a common mission: to create a space where people from different countries can discover Russia, its culture, achievements, and traditions. As part of the Festival, we plan to host an Open Dialogue Day, where the major trends shaping the global economy will be presented. Festival guests will also have the opportunity to visit our flagship project, the Department Store RUSSIA, which showcases the finest products made by Russian manufacturers," said Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.
The agreement provides for cooperation across a broad range of areas, including the organisation of joint events, the participation of representatives from both organisations as experts, speakers, and participants in each other's projects, and mutual advisory support. The parties also agreed to cooperate in promoting their joint activities through the media.
"Our partnership with the National Centre RUSSIA is built on a shared goal: to show young people from around the world the real Russia — its opportunities, achievements, and culture. The National Centre vividly demonstrates to millions of visitors what our country is proud of today and what it has to offer. I am confident that by joining forces we will enable even more young people, both in Russia and abroad, to discover the scale of opportunities our country offers to everyone who is ready to build the future through dialogue and mutual respect," said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
The first major joint initiative of the National Centre RUSSIA and the World Youth Festival Directorate will be preparations for and the organisation of the International Youth Festival, which is being held as part of the national project "Youth and Children". The major international event will take place in Yekaterinburg from 11 to 17 September 2026 and will bring together 10,000 participants from 190 countries.
The World Youth Festival was held at the Sirius Federal Territory from 1 to 7 March 2024 in accordance with a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin to promote international youth cooperation. The event brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries. In line with the President's instructions to preserve and develop the Festival's legacy, the World Youth Festival events are now held annually across Russia.
Event photobank
The topic of the competition essay should relate to the content of the Expert Report based on the intellectual work of the participants of the II Open Dialogue.
The six most active participating regions also include Moscow, the Moscow Region, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra and the Primorye Territory.
The dolls have been specially produced for the festival and will be presented as commemorative gifts to every couple.
